An Enugu State High Court has ordered the British Government to pay £420 million in compensation to the families of 21 Nigerian coal miners killed during the 1949 Iva Valley massacre.
Delivering judgment, Justice A.O. Onovo described the deaths as unlawful and extrajudicial killings carried out by British colonial authorities. He directed that £20 million be paid to each victim’s family as compensation for the violation of their right to life.
The suit was filed by human rights activist Greg Onoh, who sought accountability, a formal apology and reparations for the killings at the Iva Valley coal mines in Enugu on November 18, 1949.
The miners were protesting harsh working conditions, racial wage discrimination and unpaid salary arrears when colonial police opened fire on them. Twenty-one workers were killed, while 51 others sustained injuries.
Justice Onovo ruled that the 1st, 2nd, 5th and 6th respondents were jointly liable and ordered that the total sum of £420 million be paid by the British Government as effective remedy and compensation.
The court further held that the compensation would attract a post-judgment interest of 10 percent per annum until fully paid. However, claims for pre-judgment interest and exemplary damages were declined.
